Steering question

[Markweir12]

Hi,

I recently mentioned about my steering feeling wayward as if the alignment was out.

Got it put on hunter machine and adjusted yet it still feels exactly the same.

It feels like the front sometimes tries to find its own way, really floaty and light!

Also, would this cause an issue with the steering wheel as it doesn't centre itself?

not sure if that is normal on GTI's as been like that since I had it

Many thanks

[Markweir12]

Anyone?

[rich83]

How do you mean" "doesn't centre itself" ??

[Markweir12]

well, in my old car, despite it being a fiesta, go round a corner and it would pretty much straighten itself up without me touching the wheel.

[pudding]

Self centering is done mechanically via the caster angle in the struts.  MK5s have a lot of caster, the self centering should be pretty strong...at the expense of feel.

What your describing sounds like the steering rack motor is not reducing the assistance when according to steering wheel angle.  Any fault codes?

[Markweir12]

Never had any codes show.

Steering feels the same as any other GTi but just doesn't centre on its own.

[pudding]

So you're saying the steering does not self center, at all, if you let go of the steering wheel on a corner?   Or it's just sluggish to snap back to center?

If you have no steering angle fault codes, then the 2 most likely scenarios are:

Knackered top mount bearings causing excessive resistance.

A problem with the steering rack.

[rich83]

Hmm.. sounds odd...  If you jack the front of the car up can you move (steer) the wheels buy physically moving them? Sounds like something is binding

[Markweir12]

I'll try that this weekend Rich!